Five former chairs of a committee advising the government on endangered wildlife have penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed amendments to the Species At Risk Act. They caution that these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. Over 600 species are currently listed under this law, and the suggested modifications could effectively nullify the act and its protective measures, as stated in a recent press release by the scientists.
The former chairs of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) sent this letter to the government last month. COSEWIC is an independent body that evaluates species at risk of extinction and recommends their inclusion under endangered species legislation. By making the letter public, the scientists aim to prevent Canadians from unknowingly contributing to the deliberate extinction of wildlife in the country.
The letter coincides with the government’s contemplation of broad environmental regulation changes, including those related to the Species At Risk Act, which are anticipated to expedite the approval and construction of significant projects.
In May, two government papers proposed the pre-approval of major projects ahead of review and exempting certain projects from the requisite “jeopardy test” under the law if they are deemed to be in the national interest. These jeopardy tests are crucial in safeguarding endangered species and their critical habitats, serving as a final protective measure for vital species.
The suggested revisions would grant the government the authority to establish “federal economic zones” where industrial development could be pre-approved. Moreover, the cabinet could pre-approve pipelines before determining their routes and exempt them from federal impact assessments. Bill C-5 currently facilitates the fast-tracking of approval processes for projects deemed to be in the national interest.
The scientists highlighted a proposed West Coast oil pipeline in their letter, which is under consideration as a project of national importance. This pipeline, if realized, could pose a significant threat to various species listed under the act, including the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon, both of which inhabit the Salish Sea – the proposed pipeline’s endpoint.
The scientists underscored the potential harm this pipeline could cause to the killer whale population through increased tanker traffic noise and destruction of vital habitat. They questioned whether Canadians are willing to risk the unique killer whale population for the sake of another oil pipeline.
Expressing his astonishment, biologist David Green, one of the former COSEWIC chairs, criticized the government’s proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of the Species At Risk Act established by a Liberal government 25 years ago. UBC professor Kathryn Harrison noted the unprecedented nature of the changes, suggesting that passing new legislation to waive existing laws and confer additional authority to the government sets a remarkable precedent.
As of the article’s publication, there had been no response from the government to the scientists’ letter. The government affirmed its commitment to species conservation and complying with the Species at Risk Act, citing the need to expedite projects for economic growth and diversification amidst ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
Despite the lack of a government response, the scientists urge reconsideration of the proposed changes, highlighting the irreversible consequences of species elimination in Canada.